System and method for the delivery of content to a networked device

ABSTRACT

In a system for delivering information to and displaying information on a networked device of a user, a microprocessor is coupled to a database and a memory device. The microprocessor runs a software application for delivering an applet application to the networked device and managing the delivery of the applet application. The applet application provides for the display of information on the networked device by an applet. The database stores a first set of information relating to the user, and the memory device includes a second set of information for comparison to the first set of information, and a third set of information for display by the applet. The microprocessor compares the first set of information to the second set of information to determine whether to transmit the third set of information to the networked device for display by the applet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is (1) a Continuation of U.S. Nonprovisionalapplication Ser. No. 15/276,620 filed 26 Sep. 2016; which is aContinuation of Ser. No. 11/378,423 filed 17 Mar. 2006, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,454,762 issued 27 Sep. 2016; which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/663,546 filed 18 Mar. 2005; (2) aContinuation of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 15/821,497filed 22 Nov. 2017; and (3) a Continuation of U.S. Nonprovisionalapplication Ser. No. 15/821,308 filed 22 Nov. 2017; each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches a system and method for delivering andserving local content and advertisements to an end user on a network,including wired and wireless networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the early stages of online ad serving technology systems and networksincorporated technology that provided static ad units that generallychanged content by looping different creative ad copy. The ad copy mayhave initially been primarily text, however, with the advent of HTML andthen streaming rich media, ad copy changed to include significantamounts of graphics and embedded pictures and even streaming media.

Early on advertisements were displayed using banners and/or buttons.These banners or buttons would be placed on a Web page where a personcould view the ad unit along with the content of the Web site. The ideawas that if there was interest in the advertisement, the consumer wouldclick on it and they would be redirected to the advertiser's Web sitewhere they could conceivably take action relating to a purchase orsubscription or some other transaction. The Web site that ran the bannerad would generate revenues through payments based on a variety offactors, including the number (usually per thousand) of customers thatvisited the advertiser's Web site (CPM), per click on the advertiser'sWeb site (CPC), per conversion of a visit to a sale (CPA), or per leadgenerated (CPL), etc.

As ad serving technology advanced other types and forms of ad units weredeveloped, most notably pop-ups or pop-unders. A pop-up can be definedas: any advertising experience that utilizes a web browser initiatedadditional window to deliver an ad impression either directly above orbelow the existing browser experience.

Some examples of those types of ad units include the following:

1. Rectangles and Pop-Ups in various sizes, including: 300×250—MediumRectangle; 250×250—Square; 240×400—Vertical Rectangle; 336×400—LargeRectangle; 180×150—Rectangle.2. Banners and Buttons in various sizes, including: 468×60 IMU—(FullBanner); 234×60 IMU—(Half Banner); 88×31 EMU—(Micro Bar); 120×90IMU—(Button 1); 120×60 IMU—(Button 2); 120×240 IMU—(Vertical Banner);125×125 IMU—(Square Button); 728×90 IMU—(Leaderboard).3. Skyscrapers in various sizes, including: 160×600 IMU—(WideSkyscraper); 120×600 IMU—(Skyscraper); 300×600 IMU—(Half Page Ad).

In mid-1998 to early 1999, email became a preferred means of deliveringtargeted advertising to a consumer. As this type of marketing becameacceptable practice, certain guidelines were adopted by advertisers andrecommended and supported by the DMA (Direct Marketing Association). Theunderlying concept was that as long as a user gave permission to be therecipient of information, either from the Web site that the user wasviewing or from a partner Web site, then an advertiser could approachthat consumer by sending them an email. This requirement was manifestedby permission being granted through opt-in or opt-out boxes that weregenerally located on registration pages. In order to avoid subversivepractices, Privacy Policies were instituted by advertisers and companiesthat explained to the consumer how their email address and informationwould be used. The email messages also incorporated certain informationidentifying the party sending the email, and included an unsubscribelink at the bottom of the email to allow a person to remove themselvesfrom the database and no longer receive such emails. Many companies andindividuals failed to abide by the DMA requirements and much abuseabounded within email marketing community. The term SPAM was coined todescribe unsolicited email.

In the early days, an email marketing campaign would have been a textmessage with any number of hyper links embedded within the message. Ascreative elements evolved and with the advent of HTML, there was amarked shift away from text and to HTML. Advertisers often times sentboth a text version and a HTML version so that they could increase thedelivery ratio.

Spiders and robots were developed to steal email addresses andinformation without the consumer's knowledge. These were the earliesttypes of Spyware and adware.

In 2003, a new means of communication with a consumer (user) began toproliferate, through AOL and its AIM (instant messaging) program.Although AIM was not advertising based, it did communicate to the userwhen one of their buddies signed onto AIM. Prior to this type ofnotification, the buddy's name merely appeared in a buddy list. Thebuddy would be told if other buddies were online, and they would not belisted in the buddy list if they were offline.

AOL incorporated an application as part of the AIM program whereby anotice or alert would peek up from the system tray of the computerdesktop and notify the user that a buddy in the user's buddy list wasnow online, idle or had just signed off. Toward the end of 2003, otherinstances of this type of application were presented to the user,including as a means by which software (e.g., anti-virus) companiescould convey to their users that updates were available. In late 2004,this type of application found it's way into products such as Ding(Southwest Airlines) and SnowMate.

These applications associate a web page with an alert notification.These notifications, however, are tied to the site and are not used tosend ancillary information to a user other than something that isavailable directly from the purveyor of the notification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches a system and method for delivering andserving content, information and/or advertisements to an end user on anetwork, including wired and wireless networks. An embodiment of thepresent invention uses an applet to provide content delivery to a userconnected to a network. The network can be any type of network,including, for example, a LAN, WAN, Internet, wireless, cellular, orWiFi. In this embodiment, by downloading executable software onto a harddrive or memory of a device, such as, for example, a computer, PDA, cellphone, etc., content, information and/or advertising may be delivered toa user. The offers may be localized or distributed to one or morespecified or non-specified regions.

The present invention also provides for the delivery and management ofcontent, including, for example, local or targeted content, deployedfrom a system tray or program bin of the user device, for example, on avirtual desktop it is generally located at the bottom right hand cornerof the “task bar”, through the use of a content delivery applet. Thecontent may be any type of content, including, for example, advertising,multimedia, ring tones, skins, wallpaper, critical information, weather,traffic reports, education, dating, auctions, surveys, inter-companynotifications and messages, etc. The location in the applet where thecontent is located may be a mini-web browser, such as, for example,Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The applet must beinstalled by the user into a memory location of their device, such as,for example, onto their hard drive, ROM, or RAM.

Each applet may be designed to be uniform in nature and roughly 1.5×1.5in area, or alternatively, may be uniquely shaped or sized. The appletmay display the logo of a product, brand, good or service. Whenactivated, it remains visible to a user for a fixed period of time, suchas, for example, about six seconds. Alternatively, the applet may remainvisible for variable periods of time. In addition to static images, theapplet may deliver items such as, for example, streaming video, richmedia or sound.

The present invention also provides for the assembling of a user baseconsisting of geographic and demographic information through datacollected from a user prior to downloading of an applet. Information mayalso be obtained from a user at the time of sign-up, for example,through a sign-up form presented to the user prior to signing on. Theuser information may also have already been obtained or already residein a database. When the geography or demographic or other informationabout a user or target of the content and the criteria relating to thedistribution of an offer correspond, the offer may be passively orinvasively delivered directly into the system tray of the user via theapplet. The offer may be delivered passively by setting some sort ofsignal to which the user may respond, thereby causing a delivery of theoffer. Alternatively, the offer may be delivered invasively into avisible location on the virtual desktop or audibly. Although the appletdoes present itself to the user periodically, it is non-invasive in thesense that a user knows that it will be presented, but does not takeover the cursor or interrupt the user's interaction with the activeapplication.

Each applet may be served onto the virtual desktop by ascending from thesystem tray and may be subsequently withdrawn from the virtual desktopby descending back into the system tray, or may be deployed in any othermanner, such as, for example, by peeking in and out from the side, topor bottom of the screen or some other screen location. The applet maydescend after a predetermined period of time or based on a user action,such as, for example, a mouse click or key stroke. The applet descentmay also be prevented through a user action, such as, for example, oneor more mouse clicks or key strokes. Activation and/or deactivation ofapplets will not disrupt the workflow of the user or compromise thevirtual environment in which a user is interacting unless or if a userclicks on an applet. This act of clicking or not clicking, as the casemay be, will cause a micro-browser to launch onto the virtual desk top.Alternatively, it could cause a new or other web page to open or move tothe forefront. The web page that is opened may be directly associatedwith the content in the applet. In the embodiment where the failure toclick causes a launch of a micro-browser, there may be a timer set uponappearance of the applet within which time the applet must be clicked toprevent launch of the micro-browser. Alternatively, the launch of themicro-browser may be tied to a key stroke or series of keystrokes, or alack thereof. If the user “clicks” on the offer in the micro-browser,the user will be prompted to print the offer or a coupon associated withthe offer or accept the offer. Such acceptance may cause an automaticdownload of purchasing information from the user, such as, for example,address and credit or debit card information. Additionally, the user mayinput information through the applet, including by clicking on certainlocations, such as, for example, an answer to a survey. The response orclick could direct the entire applet or a portion or carve out of theapplet to a web site. For example, links may be embedded into the appletand it may act like any web site that grabs URLs. Control of the appletmay be orchestrated through the use of a variety of control mechanismsor actions, such as, for example, touch screen controls, voiceactivation controls, or laser or light based controls.

The present invention also provides for the ability to download a singlecopy of the applet application which will allow multiple sources todownload information to the device upon which the applet application isloaded. For example, if a user downloads the applet application from asingle retailer, there is no need for the user to download additionalcopies of the application. Moreover, the system will automaticallyrecognize that the application is already loaded on the system and theuser may access other offers from providers of the applet applicationwithout having to reload the application. The system will alsoautomatically provide a new or different skin, information and/or lookand feel for the applet deriving from different providers, depending onthe criteria set by the provider and/or by the user for such provider'sapplet and/or information. Should there arise a conflict between offers,i.e., multiple offers from different providers arriving at the sametime, the system will stagger, schedule or arrange for the orderlydeployment of the applets for each provider, such as, for example, insequence, by multiple applets being displayed, or some other method.

The present invention provides for a web based user-interface to allowadministrators to control, program, schedule, track and report in realtime back to an advertiser. In addition, advertisers can log into adedicated account page which would allow them to view in real time theiractivity and how their offers are performing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an applet according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a process by which a user may select an offer presented byan advertiser through an applet according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a system for deployment, control, tracking and managementof applets and campaigns, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a process for the implementation of an advertising campaignaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a system according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a process for delivery of an offer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a process for forwarding offers by a user to a friendaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an overview of and interconnections between pages on a website for downloading an applet application according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an overview of an applet application according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows an overview of a reporting system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an overview of an administration system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description provides a basic overview of anembodiment according to the present invention. Unlike other advertisingapplications, the present invention provides an applet (also known as analert or notification) that is served from the system tray of thevirtual desktop. The applet's emergence onto the virtual desktop andconcealment into the system tray is triggered by certain conditions andparameters as further described below. When activated, the appletremains in view of the user for a predetermined period of time, such as,for example, about six seconds, although this time period is flexibleand may be changed by the administrator and/or the user. As shown inFIG. 1, the applet 2 may be of any size, although in this embodiment,for viewing on a computer virtual desktop 4, it is set to approximately1.5 inches×1.5 inches. The dimensions of the applet can be expanded orreduced to any desired size. For example, an applet having an area of 3inches×3 inches may be created by the user simply by dragging the cursorover the top right corner 6 or top left corner 8 of the applet 2,clicking and then dragging diagonally. This method of expanding the sizeof the applet 2 is merely an example of how this may be accomplished,but may be accomplished by any other method, including for example, byclicking on the applet (with predetermined size variations per click)with a right, left or combination of clicks, by one or more key strokes,screen touches or any other method.

Unlike other ad units, the applet according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is deployed from the system tray of the virtualdesktop. The emergence of the applet onto the virtual desktop andconcealment into the system tray is triggered by the system. An applettypically displays an HTML logo of a product or brand for advertisingmessages of goods and services. However, the information displayed onthe applet may also integrate text or rich media as well as audio. Allapplets are served based on geo-target specifications that are definedin the system. The background color and/or the texture of an applet isset to a default setting, however, other skins can be imported or thefeatures modified for a custom look.

The applet will display a certain information, which in this instance isa logo 10 of a product or brand (“Offer”) and/or advertising messagesfor goods and services. Alternatively the applet can provide anyinformation to a user or target audience. The logo 10 displayed on theapplet 2 may also or alternatively integrate any of the following: HTML,text, streaming video, other rich media and/or sound. The applet 2 maybe targeted to a particular audience, but may alternatively bedistributed randomly, embedded in or bundled with a device or softwareapplication, or by request or user opt in. Alternatively, to deactivate,there may be a user opt-out procedure. Targeting is determined bymatching the geographic and demographic specifics of the user with thesegmentation requirements of an advertiser's offer. The default for asimple geo-target is the zip code. However, alternative criteria may beused, such as, for example, general range, specific radius, SCF, orgeographic region.

A user obtains an applet 2 or applet application from a client that hasdetermined to implement the system for creating a direct to consumerlinkage and relationship. The applet application may be provided to auser through a CD-ROM or any other media, which may be offered to usersby a company, such as, for example, a retailer, as part of theirpromotional or marketing materials. The client offers, through a directmail or email or other type of campaign, the capability for a user toimplement and utilize a non-invasive, passive system whereby the usermay be notified as to certain offers directly from the client and/orthrough third parties associated with the client. For example, where theclient is a retailer, such as, for example, Macy's, Sears or Wal-Mart,the retailer may offer promotions, discounts or coupons directly fromthe retailer and/or from companies whose products are sold by theretailer, such as, for example, Champion, Polo, Levis, Black and Decker,Panasonic, etc. This is beneficial to the user who can obtain access tothese offers without being interrupted by pop-up ads that are intrusiveand uncontrolled, but instead is merely notified by a non-obtrusivesmall sized applet 2 that is deployed in a predetermined location on thevirtual desktop 4 and that does not interrupt that user's activities onthe user's device, such as, for example, a computer, PDA or cell phone.Should the user opt-in, the user is directed to a web site where theuser may download the applet application, which is stored on the harddisk or other memory location on the user device. The applet applicationstays dormant in the system tray 12 of the virtual desktop 4 until suchtime as an offer is presented to a user through deployment of the applet2. The applet application may be offered to the user by any other typeof party, including web aggregators, marketing companies, educationalinstitutions, news agencies, content providers, service providers, phonecompanies, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a process by which a user mayselect an offer presented by an advertiser through an applet accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. When applet is deployed, instep 20, the system determines whether the user clicked on or selectedthe applet, in step 22. If a click or selection is detected, in step 24a micro-browser launches onto the virtual desk top. If a click orselection is not detected, in step 26 a timer determines whether sixseconds has passed, after which time, in step 28, the applet will becomedisabled and retreat to the system tray of the virtual desktop. When themicro-browser is open, the deployment of applets is halted. In step 30,the system monitors whether the micro-browser is active. If themicro-browser remains idle for more than 30 seconds, in step 32 it willautomatically minimize into the task bar and there will be a resumptionof deployment of applets onto the virtual desktop. Deployment of offersmay be accomplished through the deployment of one or more applets, eachlocated in a different area of the virtual desktop. The deployment andlaunch of the micro-browser may alternatively be accomplished based oninaction, or some action other than clicking, such as, for example, oneor more key strokes, mouse movements, or screen touches. According tothis embodiment, applets are displayed from the system tray of thevirtual desktop.

Now looking at FIG. 3, there is shown a system for deployment, control,tracking and management of applets and campaigns, according to anembodiment of the present invention. Deployment of applets is triggeredand controlled by a campaign deployment and tracking system 40 (“CPTSystem”). The system according to the present invention is made up of anumber of components. One component, the CPT System 40 is an ASPapplication resident on a server that accommodates delivery, serving,tracking, and reporting of a campaign. Though the application itself ishosted on a dedicated server, access to the CPT System may be gained viaan Internet connection 42 at a specific URL. The CPT System is coupledto the analytic and profiling engine 44 (“AP Engine”) of the system viabus 46. The AP Engine 44 provides the capability for a user to observein real time either active individual and/or aggregate campaigns as wellas any campaign, either individual or aggregate, that has concluded.Utilization of the CPT System 40 is assigned by a server administrator48. A user 50 may access the CPT System via the Internet connection 42.The scope of capabilities of the CPT System 40 that a user 50 can accessis based on the degree of authorization granted to the user 50 by theserver administrator 48. Authorization is granted to the user 50 via aunique user name and password. The user 50 may be an employee of thecompany offering the application or a client of the company, such as,for example, an advertiser.

FIG. 4 shows a process for the implementation of an advertising campaignaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. In step 100,information relating to the user 50, the advertising campaign and thedeployed applets, including end-user information, is stored in adatabase 52, as shown in FIG. 3. As also shown in FIG. 3, the database52 is coupled to the CPT System 40 via data bus 54. In step 102 anadvertising campaign set-up is initiated. The initial phase of anadvertising campaign set-up involves receiving the content offer,including, but not limited to, visual or audio components, as well asother associated creative elements such as hyperlinks, links and/oradvertising copy from the advertiser. All campaign geo-target data isprovided by the advertiser. Once all the creative has been received andthere is confirmation that everything is properly formatted, in step104, the creative is uploaded into the CPT System 40. The set-up of allinsert tracking around any active hyperlinks and all geographical anddemographic segmentation occurs at this time, as shown in step 106, bymatching the user portion of the database 52 to the segmentationspecifics.

Upon completion of initial advertising campaign set-up process, in step108, the CPT System 40 initiates testing of every aspect of the campaignfrom applet deployment to offer redemption. An advertising campaign canbe tested through staging internal deployment of the applet,micro-browser, and offer redemption. In step 110, the CPT System 40 andserver administrator 48 conduct a system analysis to make sure that alltracking is activated and responding to the internal calls-to-action.The internal test occurs using the CPT System's 40 web based interfaceby the server administrator 48 setting up the campaign.

Once approved, the advertising campaign is then transferred into thetraffic sector of the CPT System 40. Concluding the advertising campaignset-up, as shown in step 112, includes defining and scheduling theoffer's flight or deployment dates. Once these parameters are defined,in step 114, the CPT System 40 automatically stages and delivers theoffer. This behind the scenes application ensures that the applet isserved accurately for each scheduled advertising campaign. This includesdistribution, for example, by target segmentation, date, frequency,time, rotation, etc.

In step 116, the deployment system automatically feeds the appletresponder data to the tracking component of the CPT System 40.

As shown in step 118, the CPT System 40 is responsible for 24/7 activitymonitoring of all advertising campaigns. As shown in FIG. 3, theadvertising campaign tracking module 56 (“ACT Module”) tracks andreports on all applets deployed, opens, clicks, and forwards. In step120, the CPT System monitors the deployment process. If the CPT System40 identifies that it is deploying applets that fail to deploy an offer,or that any other phase of the process is not integrated or beingreported on, then in step 122, it will automatically send an emailmessage to the server administrator 48 that set-up the advertisingcampaign notifying it of this problem. The campaign can be offered to aclient, i.e., advertiser, with pricing based on various parameters, suchas, for example, day parts.

As shown in FIG. 3, the campaign analysis and reporting module 58 (“CARModule”) which is coupled to the CPT System 40 provides an array ofanalytic and profile tools. This module is customizable and is designedto generate real time reporting for the user via the Analytical Tool 60.

The Analytical Tool 60 is a software application that provides thecapabilities for and functionality of compiling all deployment andresponder data to be analyzed and profiled. It allows an administratorto generate graphs, reports and charts, which can be viewed, printedand/or saved onto a computer hard drive or other storage medium in PDF,Power Point, export via FTP or some other format.

The Analytical Tool 60 is significant because it can define a specificadvertising campaign or the sum of multiple campaigns by client orgeneral category, vertical, or all in terms of the following: appletdeployed, applet opened, applet click-through, frequency delivered, timedelivered, user opens, user click-through and the count on user'sprinting of the offer, etc.

The advantages of deploying an applet on a virtual desktop include thatit requires limited memory resources, and is usually portable betweenoperating systems.

The type of content that is provided through an applet, may include, forexample, advertising, offers (local and brand name), coupons, productawareness campaigns, sponsorships, lotteries, sweepstakes, auctions,online dating, cellular phone applications.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a system according to the presentinvention. This embodiment provides for the implementation of each phaseof applet delivery. A system manager 200 is responsible for organizingall actionable events, creating data logs, manipulating data so that aserver administrator 202 or one or more analytical tools 204 coupled tothe system manager 200 can analyze the advertising campaign(s), profilethe results, and generate comprehensive reporting for the client. Thesystem manager 200 can be implemented as hardware, software or acombination of hardware and software. The system manager 200 can trackeither a single advertising campaign or multiple advertising campaignsor events mutually independent of each other. The system manager 200 maybe housed on a server 206 at a local site or alternatively at acentralized or remote location. The system manager 200 may be accessedby a client 210 via an Internet connection 208. In order to access thesystem manager 200, the client 210 will be granted a user name andpassword by the server administrator 202. Depending on the nature of theclient 210 there will also be various levels of access allowed to thesystem. Access to the system, either directly or indirectly, such as,for example, through an ASP may be provided through a wired or wirelessconnection, such as, for example, wireless internet using a device, suchas, for example, a computer, PDA, cell phone or other wireless handhelddevice.

Because all applets bypass ISP's, SMTP, and POP3 servers, all that isneed to receive an applet from the system manager 200 is that theapplication running the applet must be installed on the hard drive, orsome other storage location of the client's device 212, such as, forexample, a computer, PDA or cell phone. Once installation is completedand verified, the application communicates with the system manager 200and the system manager 200 records the geo-target of the user and the IPaddress of the device 212. The system manager 200 may later extract andlink this information with the particular offer during the match anddeploy phase, where offers are matched to the user profiles and anadvertising campaign is deployed. The campaign may alternatively be aninformational, promotional, political, safety, news, health, educationalor other type of campaign.

An advantage of the applet is that it is in constant (or periodic)communication with the client's device 212, so that the serveradministrator can determine in real time how many users are online or inany geo-target at any given moment. This ensures deliverability ofinformation through an applet, and since an applet is not a pop-up, andhas been pre-approved by the user, it cannot be blocked if it isactivated. A user may be connected to their data or other data to whichthey are allowed access on the system, based on their ID and passwordand access rights. The user may be connected to their information ordata without the need for any of the user's personal information. Thisis accomplished by providing the user with an identifier relating tovarious fields or characteristics and storing the identifier in thedatabase. When such identifier is presented to the server administrator,the user data is accessed and provided to the user or the client withoutany personal information being provided to the server administrator. Theidentifying information for the user may be stored at the location ofthe client or provider of the offer or applet application or some otherlocation.

Three phases of a campaign set-up will next be described. For anycampaign to work effectively, the system must be able to target theoffer to the right audience. A system having an effective datacollection and data input method will provide a more robustinfrastructure for operation of the system and effective targeting ofoffers. The system and method according to the present inventionprovides for effective data input and data collection. When a user signsonto the system, the system manager collects information about the userand stores it in one or more relevant databases. Although the systemadministrator may maintain multiple fields of information on a user postinstallation, the primary field needed for targeted delivery of appletsis a zip code. Once the zip code is uploaded into the database, thesystem will geo-target the offer on an automated basis. Theadministrator can query the system to determine the total universe ofapplets installed within a geo-target and how many users are online atthe time the applets are deployed.

To personalize the implementation on a user device, the user's firstname may be provided to the micro-browser, although this is notnecessary as there is a default greeting on all micro-browsers.Communication via email is also not necessary, although obtaining anemail address may provide advantages in order to send product updates orto inform the person of new features of the product. Demographicinformation or performance metrics obtained regarding a user fromactionable events may be stored and maintained in memory and used at thedata input stage. This information can be used to assist in optimizing atarget audience for an offer.

To administer a campaign, the content relating to the offer must beobtained and formatted for optimal display and viewing by the targetaudience. The client for whom the campaign is being prepared, organizedand managed must provide the materials, including the content that is tobe included in the campaign. The client must also identify, or work withthe administrator to identify the target market for the campaign. Uponreceipt of the creative ad copy and graphics the administrator convertsthat information into the proper format for display. The applets areable to accommodate both static and rich media visual and audioformatted data, such as, for example, HTML, JPEG, XML, Text, AnimatedGiff, Flash, Streaming video, JavaScript, Shockwave, Apple compatibleformat (QuickTime), WAV, MPEG, mp3, etc. These creatives are thenuploaded into the applet. The administrator will have the ability tovalidate and test the campaign within the applet. The campaign will alsobe tested with the client.

When organizing a campaign, certain campaign specifications aredesignated prior to deployment of the campaign. For example, the logofor the applet should be formatted and validated. Since the technologyand programming language of applet will interact with other programs onthe device hard drive or memory, certain dynamic indicators may bespecified. For example, if the administrator receives text, then allother default creative should be removed and the applet will beformatted to serve text only. If, however, the administrator receivesseveral creative logo types such as streaming video, HTML or text, thenthe administrator should specify the hierarchy of the order in which thecreative is to be delivered. “Sniffer” technology will determine theoptimum format of the applet to be deployed.

A calendar function allows for applets to be scheduled and deployed oncertain dates and at certain times. A traffic controller allows fortiming and intervals deployment of applets. It is also the staging areathat integrates with the calendar function so that inventory does notexceed capacity and vice versa. The CPT System also provides dates andtime stamps when applets are deployed. Client side geo-targets may beselected based on exact zip code, radius or SCF, and/or region.

All elements of tracking are set-up at a tracking controller. Anyactionable event can be tracked and reported on. A campaign managerprovides for control of the campaign, and allows for flexibility insales and distribution. Since there is a hard cost associated forapplets that are deployed, the campaign manager ensures that clientapplets are not deployed in excess of the prearranged number that havebeen agreed to and paid for by the client.

The applet application may be tested by sending the approver an email.The approver clicks on a link that redirects the approver to the website. The page that they are directed to presents a notice, themicro-browser and a coupon which can be viewed. If there are any errorsin the process, the server administrator may be notified by clicking ona link or sending an email or some other method of notification. If theuser approves then the user may click or activate an approval key andthe system will log this information.

The offers may be categorized into various levels or types. For example,there may be premium offers or branded offers. The administrator mayspecify whether the campaign is to be a premium offer, in which case,the offer will be deployed in an applet. In the case of branded offers,the offer is held in a queue until it is converted into a premium offer,at which time it will be deployed as in an applet. Since all brandedoffers become premium offers, scheduling of branded offers into premiumoffers is necessitated.

The CPT System includes a fail safe function. This allows theadministrator to determine if applet are not being delivered or deployedcorrectly and allows for troubleshooting and resolution of any suchproblems.

As users interact with applets this information is uploaded to thedatabase. If a campaign is under performing, optimization criteria canbe set so that other inventory or geo-locations may be selected in aneffort to pull users that may be more responsive.

All information on each user is housed in a user profile database.Further, any other information that is elicited based on opens or clicksof an applet is then channeled back into the database so that targetedsegments may be created for future offers.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the CPT System 20 includes a match and deploysystem 62 (“MDS”). The MDS 62 coordinates all offers with correspondinggeo-target specifications. Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown aprocess for delivery of an offer according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 300, once the inventory or content for anoffer is selected, the CPT System 20 then queues the delivery of allapplets into the system tray of the user 50. Staging of the delivery ofoffers only occurs when the user 50 is online. In step 302, staging ofthe offers staggers the deployment of applets so that those users thatare online are not deployed excessive numbers of applets. In step 304,the CPT System monitors whether the user 50 is online. Once a user 50comes online and the applet is activated, in step 306, the CPT System 20is notified and commences delivering the offer into the system tray ofthe user 50 so that it can be deployed as an applet. The MDS 62throttles delivery of applets so that the amount of temporary memorytied up on the user device is kept to a minimum.

I a device is offline when an applet is delivered, the device will notreceive the applet. To view information from applets that have beenmissed or not delivered, a user may access a user dedicated web page, onwhich all information provided through applets (delivered andundelivered) is identified. The dedicated web page may include allinformation from the current day, week, month or any other time frame.The user may select information, such, as, for example, an offer thatthey missed because the device was offline. If a user is traveling, theuser may enter the zip code for where the user is located to providealerts to local offers presented through applets. The zip codeinformation may also be updated automatically upon activation of thedevice at the new location or upon the user signing onto the system fromthe new location.

In order for an applet to be activated and operational, the appletsoftware application must be installed on the hard drive or other memoryof a user's device. Once installed, the application is then able tocommunicate with the CPT System database and information may betransmitted among the database, the CPT System and the user's devicesuch that the database will recognize the user's device as beingregistered or belonging to an active user. When installed, theapplication will provide information to the CPT System allowing the CPTSystem to identify when the user's device is online and offline.

The applet may also incorporate state of the art security so that a usercan be protected from viruses and other software related problems.Encryption may be built into the system to prevent hacking and outsideelements from utilizing the applets for their own purposes.Additionally, if another application is downloaded onto the hard driveor memory of the user device and accesses the system tray fordeployment, the CPT System can identify and notify the user that thishas occurred.

Applets may be deployed from the system tray onto the virtual desktop ofa user device. The applet is non-invasive, although the user may realizethat at certain times the applet will deploy from the system tray. Theapplet may include only the logo of a company or product, or it mayinclude other or additional information. A user may go about maneuveringor working on the virtual desktop without the applet interrupting whatthey are doing, and their activities will not interrupt the deploymentof the applet. The frequency of applet deployment may be determined bythe CPT System and/or by the user through an update profile area.Applets may be deployed to new users any number of times per hour,including, for example, twelve times an hour. The action of deployingapplets is passive to the user. As the CPT System integrates activity ofthe user into the database, users that take consistent action can havetheir applet deployment throttled.

The system may be set such that when a user clicks on the applet, theapplet will descend into the system tray and all subsequent appletdeployment with cease temporarily. At the same time a micro-browser maybe launched onto the desktop. If the micro-browser sits idle for apredetermined period of time, such as, for example, thirty seconds, thenthe micro-browser with minimize into the task bar and this will initiateresumption of the applet deployment. If the minimized micro-browser isclicked on or otherwise activated at a later time, the applet willdescend into the system tray and temporarily deactivate, and themicro-browser will maximize, allowing the user to take further action.

Other applets may be served based on the frequency of the parameters asestablished by the CPT System and/or the user. If no action is takenwith respect to a particular applet deployment then the system willrecognize this lack of action and will retract the applet for laterdeployment.

All actionable events are channeled through the CAR Module of the CPTSystem. During the reporting and analysis phase the administrator cangenerate multiple reports and graphs that detail different aspects of asingle campaign or aggregate campaigns based on various factors and/orparameters, such as, for example, vertical, category, geo-target, event,time, or any other request of the client. Reporting is flexible and maybe customized based on the clients needs or desires, or any otherfactors. All reports can be generated online and they can be printed sothat hard copies are available, and stored in memory for futurereference and retrieval.

Actionable events including date and time are generated by the CPTSystem. For example, this information may include: applets delivered toa user; applets deployed to a user; applets clicked on by a user;applets idled by a user; micro-browser opens by a user; micro-browserclick-throughs by a user; micro-browser idles by a user; premium offopens by a user; branded offer opens by a user; directions opens by auser; weather opens by a user; coupons printed by a user; number ofcoupons printed by a user; number of applet views; frequency ofdelivered applets; frequency of deployed applets; creative types viewed;vertical or category views by a user; applet uninstalled; appletcharacteristics updated or changed by user; applet delivery ordeployment failures; length of time for the through put process fromdeployment to printing of coupon, etc.

The CAR Module tracks and takes into account the data that was collectedat the time of install and subsequent data uptakes, including what hasbeen generated by user or automated updates and actionable events.

The information that is tracked by the CAR Module also includesinformation about the applets. For example, the CAR Module may track,analyze and report information relating to: category or vertical ofoffer delivered; category or vertical of offer deployed; client offerdelivered; client offer deployed; client offer applet opened; clientoffer applet click-through; client premium offer opened; client premiumoffer click-through; client coupon printed; client branded offer opened;client branded offer click-through; client applet no action taken;client micro-browser no action taken; client offer frequency andresponsiveness; client offer calendar and responsiveness; client offertime of delivery and responsiveness; client offer time of deployment andresponsiveness; client offer delivery or deployment failure, etc. TheCAR Module may also track and record instances where a user clicks on anoffer but then for some reason disables the applet. The CAR Moduletracks users based on a variety of factors, such as, for example, in zipcode, radius, SCF, or region. It also attempts to associate individualor household information of users that may appear multiple times in thedatabase.

The various analytics provided by the system have been described above,but can be further broken out by offer, client, category, and actionableitem by user.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a process for forwarding offers or otherinformation by a user to a friend according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The system provides a user with the capability ofsending the applet and/or the coupon offer to a friend via email. Forexample, the system can be designed to allow a user to send up to fiveapplets and or coupon offers in a single correspondence.

In step 320, if a coupon offer is sent by a user via email, then in step322, the friend will receive an email from the user that has containedwithin the email a link. In step 324, to obtain the coupon the friendmust click on the link. The email includes information confirming thatthe friend received the email from the user and that it is not a SPAMcommunication. In step 326, after confirming that the email was not sentin error, the friend may be redirected to a web site where the coupon islocated and, in step 328, the friend may print the coupon forredemption. The parameters may be set such that the friend may print apredetermined number of the coupons. In this case, only one coupon maybe printed by each friend. Once the coupon is printed or the when thefriend enters the web site, in step 330, the friend may be presentedwith an opportunity to download the applet application from the website.

Alternatively, a user may send an offer or other information to anotherperson using Instant Messaging, or some other communication format ormedium, or by a special notice provided by email using the system, forexample, by filling in an email address.

Users may be provided with incentives to promote conversions, such as,for example, some sort of incentive program. For example, if aconversion occurs as a result of a send-a-friend coupon being printed,the originating user may be credited with a conversion. Once a useraccumulates credits for a number of conversions they may receive a freepromotional item, or their selection from a choice of promotional items.

When an applet application is sent to the friend via email then asimilar process to the process describer above may be initiated. Theemail is validated and a download of the application occurs. The friendis now able to receive applets. If the friend already had previouslyinstalled the application then the system will sense this information atthe time of installation and let the friend know that they already havethe application. The user that referred the friend may receive creditfor a conversion, which can be allocated toward receipt of a promotionalitem.

FIGS. 8-11 depict other embodiments of the system and method accordingto the present 20 invention.

1-37. (canceled)
 38. A device comprising: a cellular phone including aprocessor and a touchscreen, wherein the processor is coupled to thetouchscreen, wherein the processor runs an operating system, an internetbrowser, and an application, wherein the operating system includes avirtual desktop, wherein the internet browser and the application run onthe operating system, wherein the internet browser includes a window,wherein the application includes an interactive screen and a graphic,wherein the graphic is not associated with the interactive screen,wherein the touchscreen has a viewing size, wherein the application isprogrammed to: present the interactive screen on the touchscreen overthe virtual desktop; present the graphic on the touchscreen over theinteractive screen (a) while the interactive screen is presented overthe virtual desktop, (b) independent of the window, (c) at apredetermined location of the touchscreen without a first usertouchscreen input requesting the graphic being presented at thepredetermined location, and (d) while enabling the interactive screen tobe used in a same state as before the graphic is presented over theinteractive screen and without the graphic interrupting the same state,wherein the graphic is sized less than the viewing size and less thanthe interactive screen, wherein the graphic is programmed to receive asecond user touchscreen input such that the internet browser is deployedbased on the second user touchscreen input being received.
 39. Thedevice of claim 38, wherein the graphic is programmed to receive thesecond user touchscreen input such that the internet browser is deployeddirectly based on the second user touchscreen input being received. 40.The device of claim 38, wherein the application is programmed to presentthe graphic over the interactive screen conditionally based on a set ofdata received via the cellular phone from a data source remote from thecell phone.
 41. The device of claim 40, wherein the remote data sourceincludes a first database and a second database, wherein the firstdatabase stores a first set of information relating to a user of thecell phone, wherein the second database stores a second set ofinformation relating to a set of parameters for sending the graphic tothe cellular phone, wherein the data source performs a comparisonbetween the first set of information and the second set of informationand then sends the set of data to the cellular phone such that thegraphic is presented over the interactive screen conditionally based onthe set of data.
 42. The device of claim 41, wherein the first databaseand the second database are a single database.
 43. The device of claim41, wherein the first database and the second database are not a singledatabase.
 44. The device of claim 38, wherein the internet browser ispreinstalled with the operating system.
 45. The device of claim 38,wherein the touchscreen includes a viewing area having a top edgeportion and a bottom edge portion, wherein the top edge portion opposesthe bottom edge portion, wherein the graphic is presented over theinteractive screen distal to the top edge portion and proximal to thebottom edge portion.
 46. The device of claim 45, wherein the viewingarea includes a center portion and a corner portion, wherein the graphicis presented over the interactive screen distal to the center portionand proximal to the corner portion.
 47. The device of claim 38, whereinthe graphic is a static image.
 48. The device of claim 38, wherein thegraphic is presented in a manner that is not targeted at a user of thecellular phone.
 49. A method comprising: storing, via a server, anapplication including an interactive screen and a graphic, wherein thegraphic is not associated with the interactive screen; receiving, viathe server, a request for the application from a mobile phone, whereinthe mobile phone includes a processor and a touchscreen, wherein theprocessor is coupled to the touchscreen, wherein the processor runs anoperating system and an internet browser, wherein the operating systemincludes a virtual desktop, wherein the internet browser runs on theoperating system, wherein the internet browser includes a window,wherein the touchscreen has a viewing size; sending, via the server, theapplication to the mobile phone responsive to the request such that theapplication is installed onto the mobile phone and then: presents theinteractive screen on the touchscreen over the virtual desktop; presentsthe graphic on the touchscreen over the interactive screen (a) while theinteractive screen is presented over the virtual desktop, (b)independent of the window, (c) at a predetermined location of thetouchscreen without a first user touchscreen input requesting thegraphic being presented at the predetermined location, and (d) whileenabling the interactive screen to be used in a same state as before thegraphic is presented over the interactive screen and without the graphicinterrupting the same state, wherein the graphic is sized less than theviewing size and less than the interactive screen, wherein the graphicis programmed to receive a second user touchscreen input such that theinternet browser is deployed based on the second user touchscreen inputbeing received.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the graphic isprogrammed to receive the second user touchscreen input such that theinternet browser is deployed directly based on the second usertouchscreen input being received.
 51. The method of claim 50, whereinthe application is programmed to present the graphic over theinteractive screen conditionally based on a set of data received via themobile phone from a data source remote from the mobile phone.
 52. Themethod of claim 51, wherein the remote data source includes a firstdatabase and a second database, wherein the first database stores afirst set of information relating to a user of the cell phone, whereinthe second database stores a second set of information relating to a setof parameters for sending the graphic to the cellular phone, wherein thedata source performs a comparison between the first set of informationand the second set of information and then sends the set of data to thecellular phone such that the graphic is presented over the interactivescreen conditionally based on the set of data.
 53. The method of claim52, wherein the first database and the second database are a singledatabase.
 54. The method of claim 52, wherein the first database and thesecond database are not a single database.
 55. The method of claim 49,wherein the internet browser is preinstalled with the operating system.56. The method of claim 49, wherein the touchscreen includes a viewingarea having a top edge portion and a bottom edge portion, wherein thetop edge portion opposes the bottom edge portion, wherein the graphic ispresented over the interactive screen distal to the top edge portion andproximal to the bottom edge portion.
 57. The method of claim 56, whereinthe viewing area includes a center portion and a corner portion, whereinthe graphic is presented over the interactive screen distal to thecenter portion and proximal to the corner portion.
 58. The method ofclaim 49, wherein the graphic is a static image.
 59. The method of claim49, wherein the graphic is presented in a manner that is not targeted ata user of the cellular phone.